Kohli reached both his fifty and hundred with sixes for the first time in his international career, finishing unbeaten on 139 from 88 balls.
Virat Kohli produced another masterclass in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, smashing an unbeaten 139 from 88 balls as India chased down West Indies’ total of 295 for seven with ease.
Kohli Reaches Fifty and Hundred With Sixes
The 37-year-old unusually reached his 55th ODI century. Kohli brought up his fifty with a six and then repeated the feat to reach three figures. It was the first time in his international career that he had completed both milestones with sixes in the same innings.
Kohli did not slow down after reaching his hundred. He finished with 10 fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 157.95. The nine sixes were the most he has hit in a single ODI innings.
15,000 ODI Runs in Record Time
The innings also added another major milestone to Kohli’s record. He became only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 15,000 ODI runs.
Kohli reached the landmark in 303 innings, 74 fewer than Tendulkar’s 377. His century was also his 86th in international cricket, moving him closer to Tendulkar’s record of 100 international hundreds.
Gill and Kohli Make the Chase Look Easy
India’s chase was set up by captain Shubman Gill, who scored 110 from 108 balls. Gill and Kohli combined to put India firmly in control before Kohli finished the job emphatically.
India reached 300 for two in 41.4 overs, winning by eight wickets with 50 balls remaining.
Greaves’ Century Not Enough for West Indies
West Indies had earlier posted 295 for seven, with Justin Greaves leading the way with a century.
His 101 gave the visitors a competitive total, but India’s top order made the chase look far more straightforward than the score suggested.
Another Record-Setting Kohli Innings
For the thousands of fans at the Greenfield International Stadium, Kohli delivered the kind of innings they had come to watch.
At 37, he added another unusual record, another ODI milestone and another century to a career already packed with them. This time, nine sixes and an unbeaten 139 did the talking.
India’s Virat Kohli (R) shakes hands with West Indies’ John Campbell (C) at the end of the first one-day international (ODI) cricket match between India and West Indies in the Greenfield International Stadium of Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, 2026.
AFP-R.SATISH BABU
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Source: Gulf News
